Monday, January 23, 2006
Military chief denies resignation amid coup rumors
MANILA -- The Philippine military chief said he called his key commanders to assure them he hasn't resigned and to ensure their loyalty to the chain of command amid speculation about a possible coup.
On Saturday, text messages buzzed around the capital suggesting that General Generoso Senga, who heads the 117,000-strong military, had resigned.
Senga said he called his key commanders to assure them the messages were false and to ensure their loyalty.
"I have already called the major service commanders, unified command commanders to assure them that we will stay united, I'm not resigning and we will continue to remain focused on our main mission which is to address different threats to our security," Senga told reporters late Saturday.
Fresh rumors of an impending military coup--mostly circulated through text messages--have spread since four young officers accused of leading a failed 2003 mutiny escaped from an army prison last Tuesday, setting off speculation that they may have been helped by active officers.
The rumors intensified Friday when Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales suggested that a coup was in the offing later that day or early Saturday.
Security forces set up checkpoints in key roads in the capital, Manila, and barricaded roads leading to the presidential palace. But nothing happened.
The rumors might have been spread to persuade soldiers to join efforts to destabilize the government, Senga said.
Coup rumors have swirled since vote-rigging and corruption allegations emerged last year against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who survived impeachment complaints based on those accusations in September.
Although some key political allies have withdrawn support from her, Arroyo continues to enjoy the backing of the military and police top brass.
Arroyo has struggled to retain stability amid the lingering crisis and continues to face resignation calls and sporadic protests from political rivals and left-wing activists. (AP)
(January 23, 2006 issue)
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